Walter Benjamin’s "Theses on the Philosophy of History"

Shameka Clark

LEH 300

Walter Benjamin’s "Theses on the Philosophy of History"

 ( I will be discussion the Fourth Thesis)

 

 

“The fourth thesis suggests some of the the things which may be lost: courage, humor, cunning, and fortitude i.e. the qualities displayed by the oppressed classes in their struggle against oppression. These qualities develop under conditions of adversity and is important not to lose sight of how they important they are or forget the people who have shown them.”

-          What I believe Walter Benjamin is saying in this thesis is when one goes through hard times in life; one may lost their character traits that makes them human in their times of struggles. But if one can over comes the many hardships of life and remember not lose sight of who they are and the importance of the people in their life; and manage their character traits (courage, humor, cunning, and fortitude). Than one will remain human and regain hope against oppression.

 

 

1)      How do history and nihilism relate? How do people use history as a way to overcome nihilism?

 

-History and nihilism relates because both have deal with pain, tension, disloyalty, destroying others in order to move up in society and to show growth over the years. People use history to overcome nihilism, because history has showed us that with the will to want change from pain and destroying; we as a people can gain power and fight over oppression and overcome many struggles.